Photography means and method



Feb. 20, 1962 R. R. MANN 3,021,769

PHOTOGRAPHY MEANS AND METHOD Filed Dec. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 mmozvo 1?. MANN INVENT OR.

Feb. 20, 1962 R. R. MANN 3,021,769

PHOTOGRAPHY MEANS AND METHOD Filed Dec. 29, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

RAYMOND R. MANN INVENTOR.

United States PatentO 3,021,769 PHOTOGRAPHY MEANS AND METHOD Raymond R. Mann, 821 N. Pennsylvania, Apt. 2, Indianapolis, Ind. Filed Dec. 29, 1958, Ser. No. 783,380 7 Ciaims. (Cl. 95-1.1)

This invention relates to photographic equipment, and more particularly to photographic equipment for the photographing directly onto the surface of relatively rigid blanks such as lapel-buttons, mirror-backs, ear-ring but tons, novelty pieces, and the like.

Briefly summarized, my invention relates to photographic equipment by which a user can photograph his image onto a selected type of a variety of photographic blanks, with any selected one of a variety of textual matter printed on the blank to supplement his picture. For example, one user might photograph his image on a lapel button, with a choice of text Jones High School; the next user might photograph his image on a mirrorback, with the text State Fair 1958; and a third user might photograph his image on a different size lapelbutton with no textual matter whatever.

Many public places are provided with self-portrait studios, where a person can have his picture taken, developed, and printed in a short period of time. Such studios, usually coin-operated and little larger than a telephone booth, have enjoyed some considerable success.

In the past, these self-portrait studios have provided a special advantage, that is, they could oflfer a finished self-portrait rapidly. But presently they appear to have only relatively limited appeal, due perhaps to several reasons, no doubt including improvements and advantages of other types of photography.

Accordingly, one object of my invention is to provide a novel photographic device, adapted to be utilized in a manner similar to that of the public self-portrait studios, but with advantages thereover.

More particularly, it is an object of my present invention to provide a novel photographic device which photographs an objectand prints the image directly on a rigid blank, such as a lapel-button, mirror-back or the like.

A further object of my invention is to provide a photographic device which stores rigid photographic blanks, and feeds and positions them upon suitable actuation for the photographic process.

Another object is to provide such a device adapted to store, feed, and position photographic blanks of different sizes and shapes, for selection by the user.

Still another object is to provide a novel device adapted to provide a plurality of choices of auxiliary textual material to supplement the image of the person or the object to be photographed, by providing meansfor the adding onto the photographic blank such textual material as may be selected, permitting'a wide variety of choice of supplemental textual material to appear on the photographic blank, but without the necessity of stocking and storing such a variety ofphotographic'blanks.

A more particular object is to provide novel means providing such advantages of choice of supplementary textual material, by supplemental image means which provide for the photographing of a supplemental textual image as an incident to the photography of the person or object whose image is to be photographed. I

A further object is to provide photographic equipment of novel construction, providing advantages of convenient self-service photography, by which a person given only simple directions can photograph himself, with the picture being printed on a rigid blank, and with a selected choice of textual material to appear on the picture blank as a supplement to the persons picture.

In carrying out my invention in an illustrative embodiment, I provide a photographic device having a revolvable magazine having longitudinally extending chambers which store rigid photographic blanks. In front of the magazine is an exposure area, toward which the Photographic blanks are spring-pressed. The several chambers of the magazine are adapted to contain a desired size and variety of photographic exposure blanks, such as lapelbuttons or mirror-backs; and the user can cause the magazine to revolve to cause the selected type of blank to be in registry with the exposure area. The device also includes an over-lay device containing a variety of textual material; and the user can bring any selected textual material into registry with the exposure area,-for printing onto the blank as a supplement to the users image.

Thus the user can select a desired type and size photographic blank, and also select a desired textual supplement; and he .can thus obtain a printed blank of his selected type having his picture imprinted thereon together with a selected textual supplement, but without the need to stock and store a variety of blanks to provide the several options of picture-supplements.

The above and other objects, features, and advantages of my present invention will be further apparent from the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying generally schematic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic pictorial view of a device according to my invention, partly exploded and with certain portions removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the device along the lens axis thereof, with the parts in position to illustrate its use in the photography of relatively small exposure-blanks;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial detail thereof, particularly illustrating the exposure area of the device;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but with the parts in position to illustrate use in photography of a different size exposure-blanks, here relatively large lapel-buttons, with themeans of supplying a supplemental text;

FIG. S'is a pictorial view of portions of the device shown in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a text-piece for use in adding supplemental text to the exposure-blank.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the invention may perhaps be easiest understood by observing in FIG. 1 the general arrangement of its major components, generally designated as a feed mechanism 10, which feeds photographic blanks to an exposure area or station 12, which lies behind a suitable lens and shutter system 13.

The feed mechanism 10 includes a rotatable carrier or magazine 14 which is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers 16a16d, for storing stacked series of rigid photographic exposure-blanks 18a .1812 of different sizes and types for selection by the user.

Illustrative types of such exposure-blanks are relatively small lapel-buttons 18a (see FIG. 2) and relatively large lapel-buttons 18b (see FIG. 4), although other blanks such as mirror-backs may be advantageously used.

The magazine 14 may be rotated as by a solenoid arrangement 19 to present any one of the chambers 16a- 16d into registry with the exposure area 12 and the axis of the lens system 13, according to the type and size of blank selected.

I shall first describe the invention in connection with relatively small exposure-blanks here illustrated as small buttons 18a. This is the set-up illustrated in FIG. 2. As there shown, the magazine 14 is oriented to feed the small buttons 18a of chamber 16a for the photography process. 7

The small button chamber 16a of magazine 14 is shown Patented Feb. 20, 19 62 as closed at its rear end by a cap 20a provided as shown with a compression spring 22a which urges the buttons 18a forwardly toward the exposure area. However, the buttons are shown as normally blocked from moving into the exposure area 12 by blocking dogs 24a shown located on diametrically opposite sides of chamber 161: at the forward end thereof.

The blocking dogs 24a may be retracted outwardly, to the dashed line position 26a, as by a suitable solenoid arrangement 28a to permit the leading button 18a to be fed into the exposure area 12, when the user is ready to feed a button for exposure. In a coin-operated device, it will be understood of course that the solenoids 28a may not be energized to retract the dogs 24a to the feedposition 26a until the associated coin-receiving mechanism permits.

The inner ends of blocking dogs 24a, it is to be noticed, are each provided with both a forward taper 34a and a rearward taper 36a. The forward taper 34a helps cam the exposure button 18a forwardly into a definite exposure location, and rearward taper 36a cams a following button 18a rearwardly in the chamber so that it would not scrape along forward parts when the chamber is rotated to select a different chamber to be aligned with the exposure axis.

The exposure area or station 12, into which a small button 18a moves for exposure, is shown as defined longitudinally by a receiver plate 40 and a receiver piece 42a, and the exposure area is defined forwardly by a locator piece 44a. These pieces will now be further described.

Receiver plate 40 is generally circular in shape, and overlies the front face of magazine 14. The receiver plate 40 is provided with openings 46a-46b of sizes to accommodate the various shapes of exposure blanks, and it will be understood that the receiver plate 40 is rotated as by a solenoid arrangement 47 to position its appropriate opening 46a-46b into and axial with the exposure area, registering with the axis of the lens system 13 and magazine chamber 16a.

In FIG. 2, for example, in the small-button set-up, the receiver plate opening 46a for small buttons is shown registering with the exposure area.

Overlying the receiver plate 40 is receiver piece 42a having an opening 48a of a size to accommodate the diameter of a small button 18:: and concentric with the exposure axis, and of a thickness such that the thickness of the receiver piece 42a and receiver plate 40 is operatively equal to the thickness of the small button 18a to be exposed.

The forward end of the exposure area 12 is defined by a locator piece 44 which is shown in the small-button set-up of FIG. 2 as a locator piece 44a which has an opening 50a concentric with the exposure axis, but somewhat smaller than the diameter of the small button 18a so as to provide an abutting shoulder 52a to govern the forward limit of travel of the small button 18a for its exposure.

For abutting with the abutment shoulder 52a, the button 18a is shown as provided with a circular ridge 56a extending forwardly from the forward face of the button blank.

For shielding the rays of the object to be photographed, which pass through the lens system 13, the lens is backed by a cylindrical shield 60. The rear end of shield 60 is provided with a light-seal 62 which seals against a textring 64. The text-ring 64, however, is not used to add any textual supplement in the small-button set-up of FIG. 2; so it will not be described until further in the description where it is so used.

With the exposure-button 18a in the exposure-station area as above described, the user will activate the associated lens-shutter mechanism 13 to cause his image to be photographed onto the button 18a. Again, it is understood that in a coin-operated device, the lens-shutter till mechanism could not be actuated until activated by suitable coin-receiving mechanism.

When the picture has been taken, the exposed button 130. is shown in the illustrative embodiment as adapted to be discharged from the exposure area into an associated developing device by means of a closure gate 66a which is caused by suitable means such as a solenoid arrangement 67a, to open against the closing bias of a closing spring 6811. For permitting the button 18a to drop from the ejection area, the openings 43a and 46a of the receiver piece 42a and receiver ring 40 (see FIG. 3) are shown open, generally of inverted U-shape.

After ejection of the exposed button 18a, the device is now ready for another user to photograph himself onto the type and size of exposure blank of his choice.

Of course, the next user might choose another smallbutton exposure blank 18a as just described; and, if so, the small-button set-up of FIG. 2 would be used as above described.

If the chamber 16a should happen to be now empty, this fact is sensed by a load indicator 69a located near the forward end of chamber 16a.

The load-indicator 69a is shown as having a plunger 70a urged by a spring 72a into the chamber 16a, but the spring 72a is sufiiciently weak that the presence of a button 18a in the chamber holds the plunger outwardly. However, if there are no buttons 18a in the chamber, the spring 72a is free to cause plunger 70!: to move inwardly.

This travel of plunger 70a into an empty chamber is shown as operative to close electric switch contacts 74a, which in turn energize a suitable electric circuit operative as by a solenoid arrangement to revolve the magazine 14 to a position in which a non-empty small-button chamber 16a is in the feed position, that is, it is oriented into registry with the exposure area 12 and axis of the lens system 13.

The next user, it will be assumed for descriptive purposes, chooses something other than another small-button 18a for his picture.

Let us assume, then, that the next user chooses to have his picture taken on an exposure-blank in the form of a large button 18b, and with a certain textual supplement, e.g., Jones High School to appear on the button with his picture.

An advantage of my invention as will be described, is that any of several textual picture-supplements may be caused to appear on the finished article, without the need of stocking and storing a variety of types of blanks; for the picture-supplement is added by an overlay arrangement as an incident to the step of photographing the user himself.

Hence I now describe a set-up, as illustrated in FIG. 4, by which a selected one of a variety of textual supplements may be added to the picture, here illustrating this addition onto blanks in the form of relatively large buttons 18b.

In FIG. 4, it will be noticed, the magazine 14 of the feed mechanism 10 is shown as having been oriented as by a solenoid arrangement 19 so that a large-button chamber 16b is in registry with the exposure axis, the chamber 16b being of a relatively large size to accommodate the relatively large exposure buttons 18b.

Many of the components of this large-button set-up of FIG. 4, it will be observed, particularly observing the similarity of reference numerals in FIGS. 4 and 2, are the same as or analogous to components already described in connection with the small-button set-up of FIG. 2; hence for brevity they will not be specifically discussed here in connection with the large-button set-up of FIG. 4.

Sufiice it to say, therefore, in illustrating this similarity, that the large-button chamber 16b has associated with it such components as cap 201), spring 22!), blocking dogs 24b26b-34b36b which are retractable as by associated solenoids 28b, load indicator 6%, receiver-plate opening 46b of the receiver plate 40, a receiver piece 42b having receiver piece opening 48b, a locator piece 44b, and closure gate 66b.

In this large-button set-up of FIG. 4, it is again noted that the thickness of receiver piece 42b is such that the thickness of it and the receiver plate 40 are operatively equal to the thickness of a large button 18b. Further, that the locator piece 4% extends inwardly toward the lens axis to provide a shoulder 52b limiting forward movement of the button blank 18b to be exposed.

Thus, insofar as the photograph of the user himself is concerned, this large-button set-up is shown illustratively as substantially the same as the small-button set-up already described. It is to be noted, however, that the locator piece 4412 does not stop with its abutment portion 52b, but, as illustrated in FIG. 5, extends inwardly to provide a light-mask 75b having text-supplement apertures 76b'for a purpose to be described.

I now proceed to describe the means for adding the desired picture-supplement such as the textual supplement material Jones High School to the button blank.

Referring to FIG. 6, a text-piece 78b is shown, with the illustrative text Jones High School being shown as arcuately-extending lettering 8% cut through the textpiece 78b. The words lettering, text, and textual are used in the broad sense to refer to any sort of supplemental indicia or design to add to the image transmitted through the lens system, and are not confined to words or word-groups as here shown for illustrative purposes.

We refer back to the large-button set-up of FIG. 4, to

.illustrate how the desired textual material is caused to appear on the button-blank 18b. As there shown, the

a picture-supplement such as text-ring 64, with text-ring 64 oriented as by a solenoid arrangement 83b to present the text-piece 78b, which has the desired Jones High School lettering, concentric with the exposure axis of the lens system 13.

Forwardly of the text-piece 78b, there is mounted a text-illuminating lamp 34, shown as desirably of annular shape and concentrically disposed about the cylindrical lens-ray shield 60.

The arrangement is such that the lamp 84 will flash on to shine through the lettering 89b, through the apertures 76b of the locator piece 44b, to expose outer portions of the button-blank 18b with the lettering text, thus imprinting the button 18b with the desired textual picture-supplement.

The flash of lamp 84 is incident to the operation of the lens-shutter system 13 in photographing the viewer, and desirably co-incident with that operation, as by having lamp-actuating circuit 85 operatively connected to the lens-shutter activator.

An annular hood 86 surrounds the area of the lettering 86b and lamp 84, thereby blocking room-light from over-exposing the button-blank 18b through the lettering apertures 80b. The hood is sealed against the text-ring 64 as by a seal 88 shown bearing against the textpiece 78b.

The concepts of my present invention thus provide a novel photographic device having many advantages, providing for the ready photography of a person directly onto a desired choice of an exposure-blank such as a lapel pin or mirror back, or articles such as novelty ear-ring or tie-pin blanks. Ordinarily the main picture will be a photograph of the users face, but other types of photographic subjects may be used with this equipment.

The user may select not only the type of blank of his choice from those stored in the magazine, but he may select any desired one of a variety of textual supplements to add to his picture; yet because the textual matter is added to the exposure-blank by the over-lay arrangement, there is no need to stock and store the wide variety of combinations which may be selected.

The device is well suited to a self-serve, coin-operated arrangement, and can add much appeal to present selfportrait studios.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description of my invention according to an illustrative embodiment, considered with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and useful photographic device having desired advantages and characteristics and accomplishing its intended objects, including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A photography device for use with an associated lens system, comprising, a magazine provided with longitudinally extending chambers for storing a plurality of stacked series of a plurality of types of exposure-blanks, means for relatively moving said magazine for positioning a selected one of said chambers into operative registry with the lens axis, spring means disposed in said chambers to urge the blanks therein longitudinally toward an exposure position, blocking means associated with the chambers to normally block blanks from moving into exposure position, means for retracting the blocking means to permit the leading exposure blank in the selected chamber to move into exposure position, a receiver-plate means provided with a plurality of exposure-stations operatively co-ordinated with the diameter and thickness of the types of exposure-blanks stored in said magazine and located between said magazine and the lens, means for relatively moving said receiver-plate means to position its exposure-station corresponding to the selected type of exposure-blanks into exposure-position in operative registry with the lens axis, a picture-supplement plate-means overlying said receiver-plate means and containing a picture-supplement, means for moving said picture-supplement to overlie the exposure-station in exposure position, and means for exposing portions of the exposure-blank in the exposure-station by light shining across said picture supplement.

2. A photography device for use with an associated lens system, comprising, a magazine provided with longitudinally extending chambers for storing a plurality of stacked series of exposure-blanks, means for relatively moving said magazine for positioning a selected one of said chambers into operative registry with the lens axis, means disposed in said chambers to urge the blanks therein longitudinally toward an exposure position, blocking means associated with the chambers to normally block blanks from moving into exposure position, means for retracting the blocking means to permit the leading exposure blank in the selected chamber to move into exposure position, a receiver-plate means provided with a plurality of exposure-stations operatively co-ordinated with the diameter and thickness of the types of exposure-blanks stored in said magazine and located between said magazine and the lens, and means for relatively moving said receiverplate means to position its exposure-station corresponding to the selected type of exposure-blanks into exposureposition in operative registry with the lens axis.

3. A photography device, comprising a magazine having a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers, a first of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a first type, a second of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a second type, the magazine being movable to bring said first or said second chamber into operative registry with an associated lens system in accordance with the type of exposure blank desired to be exposed, and a receiver plate means overlying the face of said magazine and providing a first and second exposure area for said blanks, said receiver plate means being movable for positioning an exposure-blank of a selected type in operative registry with 6 the associated lens system, said receiver plate means providing for each exposure area an aperture of operatively the same diameter and the same thickness as the exposure-blank it is to contain, and abutment means carriedby said receiver plate means at each exposure area for de' fining the position of an exposure-blank toward the lens system.

4. A photography device, comprising a magazine having a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers, a first of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a first type, a second of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a second type, the magazine being movable to bring said first or said second chamber into operative registry with an associated lens system in accordance With the type of exposure blank desired to be exposed, and a receiver plate means overlying the face of said magazine and providing a first and second exposure area for said blanks, said receiver plate means being movable for positioning an ex posure-blank of a selected type in operative registry with the associated lens system, said receiver plate means providing for each exposure area an aperture of operatively the same diameter and the same thickness as the exposureblank it is to contain.

5. A photography device, comprising a magazine having a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers, a first of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a first type, a second of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a second type, the magazine being movable to bring said first or said second chamber into operative registry with an associated lens system in accordance with the type of exposure blank desired to be exposed, and a receiver plate means overlying the face of said magazine and providing a first and second exposure area for said blanks, said receiver plate means being movable for positioning an exposure-blank of a selected type in operative registry with the associated lens system.

6. A photography device, comprising a carrier having a plurality of chambers, a first of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a first type, a sec- 0nd of said chambers adapted to store a series of expo.- sure-blanks of a second type, the carrier being movable to bring said first or said second chamber into operative registry with an associated lens system in accordance with the type of exposure blank desired to be exposed, and a receiver means in front of the carrier and providing first and second exposure areas for said blanks, said receiver means being movable for positioning an exposure-blank of a selected type in operative registry with the associated lens system, and means adding a picture-supplement by adding an image to the exposure area to supplement the image directed through the associated lens system.

7. A photography device, comprising a magazine having a plurality of longitudinally extending chambers, a first of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a first type, a second of said chambers adapted to store a series of exposure-blanks of a second type, a first locating means providing a first exposure area adapted to locate for photographic exposure said first type exposure-blanks, and a second locating means providing a second exposure area adapted to locate for photographic exposure said second type eXposure-blanks, both of said means being movable to permit either one to be moved into operative registry with an associated lens system, and the magazine beng movable to move either of said chambers into registry with the selected exposure area, in accordance with a selection of the first or second type of exposure blank.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 423,649 Wiles Mar. 18, 1890 1,143,521 Faber June 15, 1915 1,572,315 Scholl Feb. 9, 1926 1,588,869 Wolk June 15, 1926 1,653,408 Olsen Dec. 20, 1927 1,680,709 Svanoerg Aug. 14, 1928 1,902,869 Lathe Mar. 28, 1933 2,473,174 Pifer June 14, 1949 2,524,941 Taylor Oct. 10. 1950 

